Polio

Jenette's story

The disease

While most polio infections show no symptoms, others can result in paralysis of arms or legs and even death. Paralysis occurs in about 1 in 200 people infected with the polio virus.

Polio can be spread by contact with the bowel movements (stool) of an infected person. This can happen from eating food or drinking water contaminated with stool.

Extensive use of the polio vaccine has eliminated the disease in the western hemisphere. However, polio still exists in three countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria).

The vaccines

The polio vaccine is combined with other vaccines so that you or your child can get protection against several diseases with fewer shots. There are several different combination vaccines used to prevent polio in infants, children, adolescents and adults.

This vaccine is given as a one dose to children 4-6 years of age. This is a booster dose for children who were immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio at a younger age. The booster dose strengthens or boosts the immune system to give better protection against these diseases.